Enforcing valid connections

[brad]

I'm designing a high-pressure gas system and would like to improve my
use of Visio's features... if the ones I want even exist.

I have a bunch of components (valves, tees, sensors, etc) that have
connections of various sizes. For example, I might have a pressure
transducer with an 1/4" NPT fitting and a valve with a 1/4" swagelok
fitting. Obviously, I'll need an adapter to go from NPT to swagelok.
Is there a way to force Visio to automatically prohibit connecting
these shapes without the appropriate adapter shape?

Basically, I want to be able to specify a connector as a certain sized
tube. If the tube does not properly interface with a part, I don't
want the connector to be able to snap the part's shape.

TIA.

 

[Al Edlund]

The type of request is very common. The issue is that it requires domain
specific knowledge to implement and as such will probably require that custom
code be written.

al

 

[brad]

In terms of domain-specific knowledge, yes and no.

If I wanted something precisely matching up to my needs (eg: 1/4"
swagelok vs. 1/4" NPT), then I would need some custom code.

But what I really want is just enhanced capability for connectors and
connection points. That is, a connection point could have a custom
property (much like a shape has) that allows only connectors with a
particular custom property. For example:

-Set the "Allow only" property of a connection point to '1/4" NPT'
-At this point, a generic connector is not allowed to connect to the
connection point.
-Set the "Connector type" property of a connector to '1/4" NPT'
-Now this connector can connect to the customized connection point.

From what I can tell, connection points do not have custom properties.
Assuming this functionality isn't built into Visio, does the API/SDK
allow for such modifications?

Thanks,
-brad

 

[Paul Herber]

In terms of domain-specific knowledge, yes and no.

If I wanted something precisely matching up to my needs (eg: 1/4"
swagelok vs. 1/4" NPT), then I would need some custom code.

But what I really want is just enhanced capability for connectors and
connection points. That is, a connection point could have a custom
property (much like a shape has) that allows only connectors with a
particular custom property. For example:

-Set the "Allow only" property of a connection point to '1/4" NPT'
-At this point, a generic connector is not allowed to connect to the
connection point.
-Set the "Connector type" property of a connector to '1/4" NPT'
-Now this connector can connect to the customized connection point.

From what I can tell, connection points do not have custom properties.
Assuming this functionality isn't built into Visio, does the API/SDK
allow for such modifications?

You could allocate a number for each type of connection
1 = 1/4" NPT
2 = something else
n = .... for however many types
For each connection point have a custom property or user-defined cell
that contains the connection type.
A fairly simple addon could just have an event handler for connections
being made, this could check the connection type and if inappropriate
do something. I don't think you can prevent the connection being made
initially, you can only detect that this connection is being
requested.